The Pier, New York City
April 28, 2008
08:54 Hours

For the last hour, Danel Lee had been attempting to solve the outstanding legal puzzle box that is insuring the life of a superhero. He would get only so far before the same thought would rise unbidden to the front of his mind.

The New York Knights have been born again.

Part of him felt like a child on Christmas Eve, impatient to see what mysteries would be discovered upon the morning. Another part felt like that child's parents, inwardly nervous about what solutions those mysteries might bring and knowing that there really isn't a Santa Claus - just hefty credit card bills and, if you were lucky, some zero-interest financing for six months.

In a way it was Christmas Eve, and there were six presents waiting to be opened. What would be inside each, he wondered.

He finally gave up the ghost and rose from the glass desk in his comfortable office space on the third floor. He went and poured hmself a cup of tea from the service Barbara had laid out on his credenza. As the porcelain cup filled, so too did his mind with images of the past. He thought back to the day, almost a year ago now, when he finally made the decision to reform the Knights. There was so much to consider, so many things he had wanted to do differently this time around.

And now the day was here, a day born from months of planning, study, and research. He moved to the large window looking out on the Hudson River between the two long arms of The Pier. Standing there, alone, but yet alone no longer, he sipped his tea.

The reflection in the glass of the clock on his wall said it was nine o'clock. It was time.

****BAMF!****

The scene hadn't changed materially for a week and a half. When activity was first spotted at The Pier, there were no end of gawkers, spectators, media jockeys, and other interested parties in the huge crowds outside the black iron fence which marked the property line. The NYPD was called in to keep traffic flowing on the West Side Highway and along the sidewalks surrounding the facility.

Over time, once it became apparent that no big surprise was forthcoming, the crowd thinned out. By the time the construction crews and the security guards left and the activity had ceased altogether, all that remained of the giant swell of humanity was a half-dozen (or less, depending on the weather or the time of day) low-ranking media flunkies. They mainly congregated at the benches on the edge of Clinton De Witt Park, binoculars strung across shoulders and cell phones charged and ready to call in the talking heads in their news vans and helicopters should something actually happen.

There were five of them today, three men and two women and all post-college interns. (Hey, you had to break into the business somehow, right?) They took turns focusing their lenses on the Knights headquarters building and sipping coffee.

At precisely nine o'clock AM, every exterior access point security panel at The Pier beeped three times. The LED status indicator went from red to a flashing green, and then a steady green after five seconds. Then it was quiet again.

It was a subtle shift at first, as the slight breeze picked up around the Pier, the newspaper in Darren’s hands trembled slightly. Over the next few seconds the tremble of the paper became more violent as the currents of air intensified, causing the reporter to swing his gaze skyward to see if an unpredicted storm was on the horizon. High above him, he could see a dark form, descending slowly as random debris rose from the ground in the powerful embrace of the winds, as they lifted to swirl around her feet.

As the form descended closer to him he could see that it was a woman, dressed in black leathers, with long brown hair flowing behind her. If it wasn’t for his reporter’s curiosity he would have retreated to his car, instead of standing mesmerized as the woman looked down at them with striking intensity. The wind became palpable as it swirled around her, the dust particles and leaves vying for her attention as she hovered above the ground. By this point she seemed to resemble a djinni, as heavenly as an angel from the waist up while a viscous tornado of power swirled around her feet. Only her piercing green eyes showed through the black mask that wrapped around her head, securing her silky hair from her own storm.

The tail of the twister slithered to the ground and the tornado seemed to swallow her for a moment, an agonizingly long moment, as it swirled menacingly between the benches of Clinton De Witt Park and the Pier. With a long confident stride she stepped out of the eye and lifted her arms into the air, sending her storm chariot back into the heavens. After striking a stunning pose and offering a cocky smile to the reporters, she began her slow hip swinging walk to the facility known as the Pier.

Rachel took a deep breath. With one more flip, she adjusted her cowl for the final time, making sure it was straight. She hadn't had any idea what to wear at first. Then she saw it. The absolutely most perfect outfit sitting in a sporting goods store window. It needed some alterations, but the final result was stunning. The wet suit fit well but allowed her to move easily. Plus it was the prefect colors to complement her eyes. She had added a cowl to hide her distinctive hair and a mask for her face. Boots and gloves were a must, but they had been easy to find. The hardest part had been the bag. She couldn't afford a traditional purse. Not only would it look odd, but she wouldn't be able to move easily carrying it. So she settled on a belt pouch. The purple color accessorized her outfit prefectly. Add a blue snowflake on her chest and she was ready to go.

As she left the mall, people stared. She smiled under her mask and waved at them, unconcerned. A superhero was kind of like a celebrity. She was guaranteed to be known, might as well start now. Reaching the sidewalk, she created a series of ice slides, carrying her above the crowds and across the city.

Soon the Pier came into sight. She didn't see much in the way of press, just a few people hanging around outside. Creating one last slide of ice, she flew over the head of one of the men outside, startling him, and landed next to another woman who was walking towards the Pier. "Hi," Rachel bubbled, "Are you one of the Knights too? I'm..." Rachel hesitated a second, remembering the name she settled on, "Frostbite." Her voice was cheerful and enthusiastic, even under the mask. "Isn't this exciting?"

The brunette turned her head to regard the young woman as she spoke, but she didn't break her stride or reply. Her intense green eyes and facial expression did nothing to give an answer to the girl's question. Instead she put one of her well manicured fingers in front of her full, barely smiling, lips in a silent shushing motion.

"Oookay," Rachel replied with raised eyebrows. She followed the brunette towards the Pier, waving at the few people around, some of whom had cameras out. She bounced along happily, wondering what was waiting for them in the building. Trying hard not to talk, she couldn't help humming quietly as they approached the doors. Uncertain what to do, she pulled the key card she had received out of her pouch.

Johnny stood at the end of 57th St, with his hands pushed into the pockets of his leather jacket, everyone else would have called it a cold wind rolling off the Hudson this morning, Johnny, not so much. He really didnt need the jacket, but he hadnt wanted to draw attention to himself, this morning. Thats when things went a little, wierd... well a lot of weird.

He watched as a hot lil honey rode a Tornado to within 100 feet of the front gate, then . another hottie on a slide of ice flew right over his head, scaring the shit out of him, and landed next to the first. They started talking and giggling, and strutted in. Strut was the right word... tornado hottie was almost flirting with the cameras. Johnny looked around, and faded back into a doorway, as she slid her keycard through the reader, and walked through the gate.

The press was already buzzing. "...activity at the pier.." one said. "...yes I said leather pants..." another yelled. There were half a dozen of them at least, and they were all talking into cellphones, trying to be heard over on another. One thing was clear, more reporters would be on the way soon.

Oh aint that jus' great. He thought. How in the hell am I gonna get in there? He didnt have a cool super suit, or even a mask. He needed a mask. His mind worked double time, and he caught an idea. He slipped around the corner, out of sight of the reporters, and took off at a jog.

A jog, for Johnny, was prolly better than a hundred miles an hour. In about 20 seconds he had beat feet down to a sports clothing store on 82nd. He slowed down to a walk in the adjacent alley, and stepped through the front door. He walked around till he found the ski accessories section, and picked out a ski mask. Plain black, like a half million others that had been sold in this City in the past winter months.

Keeping his face low, and his eyes mostly on the floor anyway, he paid for it at the counter, with cash, and headed back outside, into the alley, and away at a jog. Twenty seconds later, he was back at the western end of 57th looking at those gates.

He took a quick look at himself, and made sure there was nothing visible on him that could identify him, and took off at just under the speed of sound, for the gate. He had to swipe his card, which held him up long enough to hear the reporters start to squawk again, But before they could get their cameras up, he was gone, at the front door of The Pier, swiping his card a second time, he burst through the front door as soon as it unlocked.

****BAMF!****

At 9am that morning, Serena was sitting in a diner some distance away, sipping coffee and to all outward appearances, glancing at a newspaper. In reality she was using her Probability Senses to take judicious glimpses of the arrivals at The Pier, and of the quickly escalating media circus that was re-establishing itself outside the front gates.

She noticed none of the others brought anything resembling personal effects, and nodded to herself. Damn foolishness, to expect us to move in once the word got out about activity at The Pier and Ah'm glad to see my teammates thought so, too. Hm... a media whore right out the gate, air or storm powers maybe... and damn, that girl in the blue bodysuit's got -- is that ice? Wonder which one Lee expects me to `take on'? Both of 'em look like they know their stuff without me meddlin' any.

A smile brought the counter attendant over with a full pot to refill her cup, and she thanked him and asked for a warm bear claw. Might as well, while Ah'm waitin'. That's only two, so there's gotta be a few more comin' soon.

It took only minutes for two equipment vans to screech to a halt in the parking lot and television crews boiled out like ants while their on-air personalities screamed like children. Feel kinda' sorry for any of the team who haven't figured out a costume yet. Ain't gonna be easy gettin' into our new HQ without the world seein' your face through those cameras...

Abruptly, a guy in a ski mask appeared in front of the gate, almost out of nowhere. Shit, was that guy for real? Where'd he come from? Whoever he was, he made it through security almost before the press even knew he was there. Fast? Damn, that's crazy-fast!

The bearclaw was freshly baked and nearly melted in her mouth. She licked the sugary coating off her fingers, refolded her paper, took another peek at The Pier, then frowned. The situation in front of the security gate was worsening almost by the minute. Lee was going to have to call the cops to maintain order, and that wasn't going to make getting into the place any easier.

With a sigh, she finished her pastry, swallowed some more coffee, then left the newspaper plus cash enough for the bill and a nice tip by her empty cup. "Thanks again, Dino. Have a good day."

Serena didn't hear his answer. She was already figuring how to triangulate on the front entrance with the least amount of contact with the feeding frenzy that was building there. Changing into her costume was easy enough -- New Yorkers minded their own business with a near-vicious level of defensiveness -- this one with a sweet musketeer's hat in pearly white and a gorgeous plume of peacock feathers to complement the white tail coat and boots. Tugging a little on the black leather corset and skirt, Chance pixellated out of existence between one step and the next, emerging from around a kiosk near DeWitt Clinton park. Her next P-Jump took her right up to the gate, suppressing a grin as a woman nearby screamed at her sudden appearence.

"Hey! Hey! Who are you? What are you doing here?" It was a man with a microphone, shouting questions at her as if she were hard of hearing.

"Ah'm sorry sir, but Ah think you may want to stand back a little," Chance told him politely, fishing her card out of her inner breast pocket. Next time, have it ready, dumb shit.

"I'm not going anywhere! What's going on? Are you a Knight?" He grabbed her upper arm in his excitement. She heard shouts; others were closing in on them.

"Mister, you really should back off," she warned him again, trying to pull away from his grip so she could complete the entrance routine.

"Oh no you don't! You're the first one we've caught--!"

"Ah said," Chance repeated, eyes narrowing, "You really need to stand back." With those last two words the man pixellated out of existence, reappearing across the parking lot instantaneously.

The sudden silence was even more deafening than the earlier cacophany had been. "Thank you," she murmured, swiping her card and applying her finger to the glowing dot. "Ah appreciate the courtesy." The tails on her white coat swayed provocatively as her long-legged stride took her through the gate, heading for the doors as if it were something she'd done every day of her life.

Things were getting busy at the Pier. Although all of the reporters were very interested in the newcomers at the Pier, one of them appeared to be backing away rather that rushing forward. This lone reporter kept moving away from the others and then scooted around a corner and into a handy alleyway.

“Okay, so there are others coming”, Elastic Man muttered to himself as he changed form from that of a reporter and into his red, white and blue ‘costume’. Whilst hanging around outside the Pier, watching to see what went on there and whether any other Knights would appear at 9 o’clock, he’d decided to add some red to his superhero form to give it a more patriot look. He had also decided to keep the big white ‘E’ on his chest.

Looking down at himself satisfied, Elastic Man concentrated again and formed his legs into a large blue spring. The others were making their entrances (and not being too subtle about it either) so it was time to make his entrance. Smiling to himself, Elastic Man sprang into the air…

*Boing*

A second later, Elastic Man plummeted from out of the sky and landed right in front of the main gate to the Pier complex, his springy legs absorbing the impact. Smiling to the nearby astonished reporters who were trying to get a good shot of him, Elastic Man pushed his hand into himself and pulled out his New York Knights ID card. With a quick swipe, he was inside. Wit an overly large ahnd, he waved goodbye to those outside.

Extending his legs to cover the ground between the gate and the main entrance in one stride, Elastic Man stretched over to the others near the entrance.

“Hi, I’m Elastic Man, your flexible friend. I’m guessing you’re Knights too?” The colourful hero was grinning, his mouth perhaps a little too large for his face. This, thought Elastic Man, was going to be very interesting.

He did not just say that he was Elastic Man my flexible friend. That didn't just happen. The leather clad brunet swept him a brief look without breaking her stride as she continued towards the front door, sliding her key card through the slot to grant entrance.

"Well now, ain't you somethin'!" Chance looked over the... person.. who'd just appeared, her own big smile fitting on her face appropriately. She held out her right hand for a shake, her left tipping that pearly-white, oversized hat roguishly. "Code name's `Chance' and it's nice to meet you."

Elastic Man eagerly shook the woman's hand. Chance noticed as he did that the man's grip was strong and his gloved hand felt weird. Sort of rubbery.

"Good to meet you", Elastic Man said, his accent American but a little strange. "Chance? As in lucky?" He moved forward towards the doorway, behind the leather clad woman.

"Ah been known to be so," she agreed, eying him as he passed.

Rachel smiled happily as more of the team arrived. At least they seemed friendlier than the tornado lady. "Hi everyone," she bubbled happily, "I'm Frostbite. This is so cool to be here. It's really awesome to meet everyone." She shook her head briefly, then remembered her hair was bound up and under her hood. "This is going to be so much fun." Although her face was covered, there was no hiding the smile in her voice as she talked. She enthusiastically shook hands with any and all who offered. "I can't believe I'm gonna be a Knight."

When Mayhem heard the audible click, she swung it open for herself and was about ready to slip through in her typical style and let the person behind her catch it, but at the last moment she paused and held it open wide for the others. She regarded them as they approaced, Miss Bubbles, the Elastic Mor...man...and...whoa, hot costume chick. Ski mask? This is not happening...that is too funny! He must be one that thinks ahead. The brunet barely managed to keep a grin from spreading across her sober face at the site of the ski mask.

"Thank you kindly," Chance said stepping through the door and waiting 'til everyone else had cleared before she offered a hand. "Name's Chance -- nice outfit," she grinned, appreciating good quality leather clothing when she saw it.

"Thanks, Chance. I'm Mayhem. ...and I love that hat." She shook her hand but her shake was a bit awkward.

"It was definitely the best of the bunch this morning," she grinned. "Ah could prob'ly spin one up for you--" and suddenly, she knew she could, the probability was right there, quivering in eagerness for her to choose it -- "but you might lose some o' that nice leather if Ah do."

Johnny pulled the knit cap off his head, and his thick hair just sort of decompressed back to where it was supposed to be. He ran a hand over his face, as he stuffed the cap in his back pocket. "Johnny Losano, here, glad to meet yas." He said, plainly feeling stupid over being there in jeans and a jacket. He offered his hand to shake with anyone who wanted an introduction.

"Call me Chance, in the field anyway," she told him, smiling, taking his hand in hers. "You must be the guy who moved slicker 'n greased lightnin' out there earlier. Got an idea for your costume yet? Ah c'n prob'ly help you out with that, if you want." She snapped her gloved fingers and the scarf slung casually about her neck changed from peacock blue to emerald green -- pixel by pixel, but so fast it was nearly instantaneous. "Ah got a gift for such things."

"Aight, Chance it is." Johnny said flatly. "What gettin in here? That was really jus' a trot.As far as cotumes go... Mr Lee said somthin' about ballistic cloth, to withstand high speed." He was plainly impressed at her scarf changing colors, and said so. "I'll bet they'd hate you over at Bloomingdales!"

"Ain't been there yet, but they tell me it's nice," Chance replied, seeing ballistic-nylon costumes hovering around the man. "Got a color preference? How about...?" She grinned at the most probable combination, watching critically as the costume pixellated over his street clothes. It coalesced, in the space of three heartbeats, from tennis shoes, blue jeans, a t-shirt and leather jacket, into that ballistic cloth, tough and flexible. Skin tight, it took the colors that the FDNY used in its equipment, black and yellow, with tall black boots, that rose over his knees, and black gloves, that rose almost to his elbows. His head covered over in a helmet, with a full face visor, reflective and grey. The "helmet" had slotted air holes, to allow for ventilation, at extreme speeds.

Johnny looked down at the outfit, then back up in a hurry, though his face was hidden behind the reflective mask, the surprise in his voice was plain as day. "Jesus, Mary and Joseph!" His hands went to the bottom of the visor, and fumbles around a bit, finding a catch that let it flip up much like a firefighters helmet visor would.

"Now, dats really somethin'. Not that I dont appreciate it an' all... but, ya think I can get my jacket back?" He said, with a grin.

Chance laughed merrily, and patted him on the back. By the time she was finished, his leather jacket was draped over his shoulders. "Now, you sure that's the one you want? 'Cause there's another in neon green, and one in blue too."

"Actually, the colors kinda remind me of the FDNY, I likes that." There was a hint of sadness in his voice, hidden under a layer of excitement, and awe.

Rachel followed the leather-clad woman through the door. "Thank you so much for holding it," she said. She walked into the entry hall and froze. "Whoa," she said in a low voice, staring around. "This place is huge. I mean really huge. Mega-huge. I mean just incredible." Her eyes wide under her mask, she moved slowly through the entry hall, staring at everything.

Elastic Man had been studying the young woman. She called herself Frostbite, thought Elastic Man, Ice powers? He shuddered. It was a pity because he liked the woman's enthusiastic nature. He looked around the entrance hallway.

"It is very impressive, isn't it?" remarked Elastic Man, in a quiet voice.

"Try to cheer up a little, okay," Chance joked, placing one hand on Frostbite's shoulder' companionably. "Yeah, it's huge all right -- Mr. Lee and the old Knights must've used a Texas architect on the place, when they designed it -- too big for anyone else. Ah'm Chance, in case you didn't hear. Lookin' forward to workin' with you."

Rachel smiled and blushed a little, not that it was visible under her mask. "I'm sorry, I'm just really excited to be here." Her words tumbled over themselves in her excitement. "I had never really heard of the New York Knights before Mr. Lee contacted me. I looked them up on the internet and they were incredible. Now I'm going to be one."

She laughed a light, silvery laugh. "I'm sorry again. I forgot my manners. It's really nice to meet you, Chance. I love your outfit. You look just amazing in it. And your accent is wonderful." Looking around, Rachel's eyes lit up. "Come on, let's explore," she suggested. Unable to hold still any longer, she bounced into the room, nearly skipping in her excitement.

"You got nothin' to apologize for," Chance told her sincerely.

The brunet allowed the door to close behind her as she followed the others into the huge foyer. Her eyes swept over it appraisingly as she nodded her approval. "Very nice indeed. I'm...well...for now, I'm Mayhem. Mr. Lee's not digging the name though, so that might need to change. Something about it being to villainy for his tastes." She grinned one of her devil me damned smiles as she walked deeper into the Pier.

"Well, how about `Cyclone'?" The woman in white tails suggested. "That storm you rode in on looks like one, near enough."

"I like that well enough, but one of the Jersey Six, uses that name. I'm not big on copycatting schticks or names." Mayhem stopped when she reached the end of the hall and took several moments to study the Fallen Knights Memorial. She took her time to look at each of the fallen heroes, considering once again the gravity of becoming one of the reborn Knights.

"Ah call `Bullshit'," Chance laughed, pointing at Mayhem. "Show your proof or fold, lady. `Jersey Six'? Sounds like a lame FBI name for a busted terror cell to me. And by the way?" She added, obviously having fun and not caring much about Mayhem's answer, "don't ever let anyone from the Bureau name anything for you or about you 'cause they have absolutely no imagination."

Mayhem shrugged her shoulders nonchalantly at Chance, but didn't confirm or deny her suspicions. One of her slender hands reached out to touch Nomad, the weapon master, as she silently considered what she could have done with the real live version. Yummy that. I think we need to make it a priority to find this one.

Rachel moved over to the memorial and looked for a few moments. "Wow," she said quietly, touched by the sight. "This really makes you think, huh? Everyone dies, but at least the Knights touched enough lives to be remembered like this." She smiled again. "There are worse ways to be remembered."

"What bothers me most is that most of 'em didn't die. They're just... gone," Chance said quietly, mood probably as serious as she ever got. "The deaths are somehow easier for me to take than the not-knowin'."

Pulling his attention away from Chance and Johnny Losano's changing outfit, Elastic Man moved over to where Mayhem and Frostbite were studying the Memorial.

"Fascinating", he muttered as his hand touched the memorial. "They feel the need to remember their fallen warriors?" he said quietly. The Qys kept visual records of data and events to ensure the knowledge was passed on. But they did not keep records of things like the names of the dead. The Qys considered the dead insignificant. Elastic Man felt that his people had missed an important part of life.

Elastic turned around to look at Mayhem.

"I think Mayhem is a good name", he volunteered. "It is very... dynamic".

"Thank you I appreciate that." Her voice remained a bit dry, but there was a glint of appreciation in Mayhem's pretty green eyes as she regarded the Elastic Man. "I planned on bringing it up at the meeting. If it's a matter of contention, then I'll be a team player and change it. If not...then Mr. Lee can sh...shelf it."

Chance shook herself a little, then grinned at their flexible friend. "Well hell, Ah like it too," she chirped, pushing aside matters she couldn't change. "Ah almost took the code name `Mischief' -- wouldn't we have been a pair at that point?" She joked to Mayhem.

"Ah think Chance is a better name", Elastic Man said, his voice echoing a little southern drawl. "If you are something of a probability manipulator". Elastic Man smiled. Compliment the females on anything and everything. He'd learnt that quite quickly.

Something about that made the leather clad woman laugh. "Mischief and Mayhem. I like the sound of that. Somehow though, I think that Mr. Lee wouldn't appreciate it." A devil be damned smile stole upon her lips as she continued. "The idea, I believe, is for you guys to be a calming influence you see. Not for me to bring the mischief out of you...oh but boy does that sound preferrable."

Rachel laughed. "That would have been neat. It seems like what you do is more important than your name anyway, isn't it?" Even as she spoke, she moved to the security door. "So long as we are doing the right thing and helping people, everything should work out." The door hissed open and she looked down the hallway. "Huh, looks like some kind of security station. Anyone know where we are supposed to go or if there are any more arriving?"

"Dunno, but the instructions said there'd be a meeting at eleven. Ah want to see where my rooms are -- ain't even gonna try to move in with all that," Chance gestured somewhere in the direction of the media circus in the parking lot, "goin' on out there. Plenty o' time for that later, 'specially since Ah ain't got much in the way of belongings to worry about."

"I'm hungry." Mayhem said simply as she followed the others into the security room.

"Food sounds good too," Chance agreed, heading for the other door. "Let's go find that breakfast buffet."

"Breakfast? I'm hungry as three mooks." Johnny chimed in.

Elastic Man didn't feel hungry at all. Eating was one of the things he'd not really worked out during his time here. What they called food was mostly heated biomatter, either vegetable or animal. He'd tried plenty at the diner. It all seemed mushy and fibrous.

"I think I would prefer to investigate further..." he began.

Once everyone had made it through the door leading in from the spacious foyer, The door behind them closed and sealed with an audible heavy mechanical sound followed by an electrical hum. A voice which could only be that of James Earl Jones spoke seemingly from everywhere at once.

"Entry detected, five proximals. Security scan commencing."

The lights in the wide, arched half-tube of a passageway went out and a series of what looked like some hundred pencil-thin blue beams of light danced throughout the space, origniating from all over and sweeping over everything and everyone. That was replaced with a slow, red strobe. After several of the crimson pulses there was a single bright light like a camera flash. That was followed by a second or two of darkness before the normal illumination resumed. The entire phenomenon took only fifteen seconds or so.

"Security scan complete. Identified New York Knights: Elastic Man, Chance, Flashfire, Mayhem, Frostbite. Welcome to The Pier."

There was another heavy mechanical sound and a matching heavy door at the far end of the security checkpoint slid sideways, open.

"There is one message, no specific recipient."

Rachel stared in surprise as the room started flashing lights. The temperature in the room dropped about 20 degrees before she realized what she was doing. "Oops, sorry," she said with a slightly embarrassed grin. "Cool Star wars effect."

Johnny held still as a statue, as the scans swept through. He didnt even notice the drop in temperature, and wondered what 'Frostbite' was apologizing for.

Elastic Man had been watching the light show with interest. This facility had significant technological advances beyond the normal. Even so, it was flawed. It took fifteen seconds to scan them, which would be far too long to stop any unwanted intruders who had stealthily accessed the area. Perhaps if they had a Darnaryan bioscanner linked to their database..?

His thoughts, however, were interrupted by the sudden decrease in temperature. Elastic Man moved away from Frostbite and towards Johnny as the young woman absorbed the heat in the room. He felt his body begin to harden and his movements started to become a little sluggish. Still, he tried not to show it.

"So, yas gotta be Flashfire then, eh?" Elastic Man happily announced, digging Johnny Losano in the side with a rubbery elbow. "That'sa name! So d'you, y'know, blast fire as well as jus' trot fast?"

Johnny looked at 'Elastic man' and wished he'd left the visor down on his helmet. He didn't want to assume the man was mocking his accent, so he decided to give him the benefit of the doubt, for now. "Well, I s'pose I am Flashfire. Nah, I dont t'row fire. I run. Flashfires are fast moving blazes, so maybe its a nod to my ability, and background, dunno." He shrugged.

Straight outta Hollywood, Chance thought to herself, pausing ot smooth down the hair on the back of her neck. "Computer, what is the message?"

The disembodied voice replied, "Message recorded this morning, 07:32 hours."

A square-shaped area about three meters in front of the group shimmered and formed into a life-sized image of a Daniel Lee. It was a good quality projection from somewhere along the wall behind the image, based on trace lines of light expanding into that space. It wouldn't pass for the real thing, but it was clear and crisp.

"Welcome to the Pier," it said to them in Lee's recorded voice. "This facility has been occupied by some of the finest people it has ever been my privelige to know. This was their base of operations, their sanctuary, and their home, and now it is yours. So please, make yourselves at home."

"I have taken the liberty of assigning a residence suite to each of you in the north wing. Even if you indicated to me you will be living elsewhere, I want you to know that you have some place to come that is yours, without conditions. The Knights have always been something of an extended family and while you may be strangers to each other now, in time that will change - trust me."

"Breakfast is set up in the dining room. I'm up in my office on the third floor in case you want to stop by. Otherwise, I'll see you in the team conference room at eleven o'clock."

The image flickered twice and vanished, leaving the five Knights alone again.

****BAMF!****

Dynamo was speeding toward The Pier. It was nearly 10 now and he was more than an hour late. Not a good way to make an impression on Mr. Lee or the other team members. Still, he was doing his job. Certainly, they would understand that. He landed on the front porch and entered the building using his key card and finger scan in the manner barbara had shown him.

After moving through the foyer and into the security station, Dynamo was subjected to the scanning light show, followed by, "Security scan complete. Identified New York Knight: Dynamo. Welcome to The Pier." A large security door opened across from the way he entered.

He smiled, this technology was really amazing. "Hello?" He called, "Anyone here?"

They'd finally found their way to that dining room, checking out the conference room where their first meeting was to be held later. Chance had followed her nose and was happily enjoying her second bearclaw of the morning with yet another cup of steaming hot coffee. She'd set aside her hat and mask as she sat down, smiling at Johnny conspiratorially and re-introducing herself to all of them as Serena Shaene.

"Ah hope this means Mr. Lee hired someone to do the cookin', 'cause y'all don't want to have to rely on mine, that's for sure."

Johnny decided to go with a light breakfast, not sure what was on the schedule for today. He grabbed a plate, and started loading it, waffles and pancakes went on first, making a platform for scrambled eggs, a handful of bacon slices, and a couple sausage patties. Then he garnished the platter with a couple donuts a bagel and four slices of toast. He smiled back at Chance and sat down to eat. As the first crumbs dropped inside his helmet, he became annoyed, and started trying to figure out how to detatch it from the rest of his suit.

Rachel had picked up a glass of juice before realizing it would be hard to drink under her mask. She should have gotten one that had an open mouth. Staying away from the heated food, she watched the others, considering what to do. She wasn't really hungry, having had a Slim-Fast before she came, and she wasn't sure about revealing her secret identity yet. It should be safe, but old habits die hard. Shrugging, she left her mask in place and just carried the glass over to a table. "Don't look at me for cooking, I don't even like going in the kitchen. I've never actually cooked anything except in a microwave in my life."

Dynamo heard voices coming inside and he followed them. He walked the halls of the Pier, looking for other Knights. Certainly they also all were not late. He heard voices coming from the second floor. Voices, mixed with the sounds of forks on plates, and the smell of bacon and sausage meant breakfast. All of which reminded him that he was famished.

He straightened himself and entered the dining room. "Hello." He said in his best, friendly voice, "Sorry I'm late; my name is Dynamo."

Mayhem was still standing near the food when Superman walked in. She took a moment to look over his impressive form, before popping another grape into her mouth. Unlike the others, she seemed content to bypass the pesky plate as she ate. Sticking to the generous display of fruits as she begrudgingly eyed Johnny's generous helpings and Chance's pastry.

Chance (now unmasked and happily conversing with her teammates as Serena) looked up at the impossibly huge figure in the doorway and stifled a quick gasp. wow, nothin' like takin' all the air outta the room! She smiled and stood, offering him her hand. "Code name's Chance, but since Johnny here showed up in his civvies, Ah'm breakin' bread with y'all as Serena Shaene. Nice to meet you."

Johnny looked up at the sound of the newcomers introduction, from behind the pile of food in front of him "Johnny Losano, 'ere. Flashfire, guess is what theyre callin me." He said after swallowing a half of a sausage patty "Nice ta meet ya Dynamo.".

Rachel smiled at the huge man. The effect was somewhat wasted under her mask, but her eyes still sparkled. "Hi Dynamo. I'm Frostbite. Isn't this place incredible?"

The woman dressed in black gave him a quick nod of her head as she began the overly slow process of peeling a banana. "I'm Mayhem."

Dynamo smiled at them all. Everyone looked so different from his last team. The women - well some of them - hardly seemed to wear any clothes at all. He did his best to avoid staring at the leather-clad one. "It's nice to meet all of you. I am too late to join you for breakfast?"

He helped himself to a large plate of food, you could almost hear him say It is the most important meal of the day. "Anyone know the agenda for today?"

"The instructions Ah got said be here at 9am to move in or help others do so, and then there'd be a meeting at 11," Chance replied, crossing her legs and leaning back with fresh coffee. "Ah believe Ah'll save the `moving in' part 'til there's less traffic in front of the building, though. Hey, any o' the rest of you gonna live here? Or am Ah gonna be rattlin' around this big mousetrap by myself?"

"Man I wish I could stay here," Rachel said wistfully. "It sure is a lot nicer than my dorm room. It'd be really hard to explain to my roommate, though. Plus getting to class would be a pain." Unable to sit and watch the others eat any longer, she bounced up and walked around the room, just stretching her legs.

"Well, Ah'm disappointed then," Chance told her sincerely. "Havin' you around would be like our own ray of sunshine. Sure you won't reconsider? Looked like you were gonna be across the hall from me and that sure sounds like a lot of fun."

Rachel smiled over at Chance. "Wow, that is really sweet of you. I'd sure like to stay. I mean being a Knight is by far the coolest thing I've ever done." She stopped for a moment and then laughed at her unintentional pun. "Coming from me that's saying something I suppose." She gestured around herself, "Living here would be ever greater. Just the chance to live with real life super-heroes would be the best thing in the world." She giggled, "Even cooler than dating Jimmy Felkins senior year."

She considered the idea of staying for a few moments. There had to be a way to do it. An idea was nibbling at the back of her mind, but it hadn't come out yet. She would have to think about it longer.

Where do you go to school?" Dynamo asked. "Think of all the money you would save living here rather than on campus, and I'm sure that Mr. Lee could arrange some kind of covert ride for you. I would imagine that the library we have access to here is even better than the Columbia Library -- and that's one glorious place."

"I go to NYU, " Rachel answered. Finding it hard to talk through the mask she sighed. With a shrug she pulled her cowl back, letting her pure white hair fall free down her back, and took her mask off. "There, that's a lot easier," she said with a beautiful grin. She shook her head, letting her hair fall free, then continued. "If I can't trust you guys, I'm in trouble, huh?"

Taking a drink, she continued, "I'm actually on a full ride scholarship, so the money isn't really a big deal. It's more hiding my identity than anything. My friends will wonder why they can't come see where I'm living for a house-warming and all." She laughed her musical laugh again. "Somehow I think 30 sorority girls would upset the security here a little."

"Boy howdy, Ah think `30 sorority girls' and `security' are opposites, aren't they?" Serena quipped. "Still, if you could find your way clear to it, Ah'd take it as a personal favor, ah, Frostbite," she went on, eying the girl's blond loveliness with good-natured envy. "Ah grew up the youngest o' eight kids and Ah know from experience that havin' family around when the chips are down, even extended family, can really lift your spirits, you know?"

"Eight kids!" Rachel's eyes were wide as she considered that. "I can't imagine how wild that would be. I'm an only child. It must have been crazy around the dinner table." She laughed again at the image in her mind.

"Well, no, Mama didn't put up with foolishness at her dinner table, still doesn't, even with a dozen or so grandkids, on the holidays," Chance smiled. "Once outta her sight though.... anything you could do and not get caught at was pretty much fair game." She turned then and looked at the others. "How 'bout y'all? Gonna stay? Or wing it on your own?"

"I'll be crashing here most of the time. Figure it'll be easier to stay out of trouble with a house full of heroes." Her tone was serious, but her green eyes danced with mischief.

"I'll be living here too." Dynamo replied, he didn't add that otherwise, he would be homeless. "I hope that my bag will arrive sometime tomorrow. Hope you can cook, otherwise, it'll be take-out and sandwiches."

Mayhem paused with a mouthful of banana at Dynamo's sentiment. "No. I don't cook. Actually...I don't do anything domestic. ...actually, I barely qualify as being domestic." She took a sharp bite of her banana for emphasis as she made her last comment.

"So do you do anything other than get in trouble, Mayhem?" Serena asked, in good-natured disbelief. "Ah think every other thing you've said since we met downstairs has been something or other related to that."

"Nah...you just have selective hearing is all." Mayhem winked at her. "I do have a proclivity for bad luck though. ...and I like to set the expectations low...then I can only improve."

Johnny about spit a half chewed pancake out onto the table at that. He grabbed a napkin and tried to keep from choking himself supressing laughter. Once he had swallowed, he said "Good thinking, that. For what its worth, Im stayin here, too. Though the no visitors thing really bugs me." He stabbed apiece of waffle with his fork, but before he pushed it into his waffle-hole, he added, "We gotta work somethin' out, about that."

Mayhem's eyes grew serious for a moment as she regarded Johnny, nodding her head in agreement, as she mused out loud. "Visitation is going to be a bitch. Maybe we'll have some petty cash to play with, and we can get us a...uh...guest apartment somewhere in the city....for...uh...emergencies...visiting family members and such." Her lips fell into an impish smile.

While the others talked, Rachel was staring into space, thinking. "Maybe I have an idea," she suddenly said. Realizing the others had moved on in the conversation while she was thinking about how to stay here, she smiled. "Um, I mean about how I might stay. I've already told my friends I have a job at a genetics lab." She looked a little embarrassed. "That's not really a lie, you know. Mr. Lee hired me to be a scientist here. Anyway, I could just tell them the lab has a place to live too, but it's top secret so I can't have visitors. That's pretty much true too, right? It isn't perfect, but I think I can make it work."

She bounced up and down in excitement. "Then I can stay with you guys too. Won't that be awesome? As long as we get someone who can cook more than just ice cream, that is." Spontaneously, she gave Chance a big hug. "It will be just like a big sleep-over." Rachel's pale blue eyes sparkled with excitement.

Mayhem winced as Miss Sunshine's voice elevated in excitement. Oh my gawd. She is going to be like living with a hangover. "...or...uh...If you aren't sure it'll be convincing enough, you could live at the dorm for part or most of the week."

Dynamo found himself smiling. The young woman's excitement was infectious -- at least to him. She reminded him of the young Kid Dynamo at the beginning of the war. He found himself smiling along with her; and, for the first time since his trip forward in time, completely happy about something in 'the now'. He looked from face to face and wondered, were any of them married? Did any have children? He put those questions to the side for now, they felt too personal for a first meeting like this.

"I think that's a wonderful solution Rachel." He said to her, his deep, rich voice filled with joy. "I am something of a scientist too. Perhaps we can work together."

Chance was laughing, having hugged Rachel back tightly then released her when she bounced back up. "Ah think Ah like it, honey. Just take my advice and keep your stories as simple as possible, and say nothin' at all every time you get the, um, well, the chance," she said, the brief grin at the use of her code name flickering through an expression that had otherwise gone a bit serious. "The best lie is the one you never have to tell, especially where your private life is concerned."

Rachel's face fell slightly at this, although her eyes still twinkled. "I hate lying," she said. "I'm really bad at it. My dad used to know when I had done something wrong just by looking at me. That's why I'm trying to keep it as close to true as possible."

Suddenly she grinned an impish grin. "I haven't even told my parents I'm joining the Knights yet. You'll probably be able to hear his reaction all the way from Alaska." She looked around at the rest, somber mood forgotten. "Do any of you have family in the area? They'll be able to visit, right?"

Johnny was using the last of a pancake to sop up some syrup, and scoop up the ef remaining bits of scrambled egg on his plate when he answered, "Im from New Yoak, and My Mama lives in The City, though Mr Lee said she prolly cant be visitin." He popped the remnants of food into a hungry mouth then stood up with his plate heading back to the buffet.

Rachel looked surprised at that. Your mother lives in the city and can't visit? That's crazy." She grinned at Johnny. "We'll have to do something about that. If we can get me here from the dorms, we can certainly find a way to get your mother here, at least for visits."

Serena shook her head. "My family's in Texas, though Ah got a couple of brothers and one sister who might make the trip up sometime." Her head tilted, spilling dark curls forward over one shoulder. "Dynamo? Ah gotta ask, curiosity is killing me -- are you related to the old Dynamo, from World War II? Did you inherit his powers somehow?"

Dynamo turned to face her, a slightly bemused (or possibly confused) smile on his face. "I am ... well ... I am the old Doctor Dynamo." He said, "I seem to have been lost through time and ended up here, in 2008. "I have spent the previous several months coming to grips with the facts of my new existence. My chances of returning home, I have been told, are slim and even if I did manage to get back to 1948, I there are questions about any possible harm that I might do -- even accidentally." He realized that he had run-on about all that and he stopped speaking.

"Whoa...that fu...really sucks." Mayhem's mouth fell open a bit at the thought of something like that being possible. Her mind spun with the emotional repercussions of that kind of event and began to worry that maybe she wasn't the only wild card in the group.

"Jesus, Mary and Joseph.... You're a freakin legend." Johnny stopped building his sandwich out of sausage patties and waffles instead of bread, his jaw hanging open as he looked at Dynamo.

Serena nodded her agreement with Johnny's statement, only after having closed her own open fly-trap. "Ah cain't really imagine what it would be like, to not be able to go home again," she told him sincerely, standing up to offer him her hand. "Ah'm sorry Ah cain't make that right for you, but my granddaddy would rise up out of his grave and haunt me the rest of my days if Ah didn't thank you for all you did, and all you sacrificed."

Dynamo nodded humbly, "Thank you." He had learned that this was part of who he was. People ascribed more valor to him and his kind than they had the rank and file soldier -- because the rank and file soldier seemed to as well, as did the news reels. He was uncomfortable, but had learned the hard way to simply accept this and move on. Not accepting it was disrespectful to those he had fought for and with.

"Part of why I have left off the 'Doctor' from my name is that I'd like most people to believe that I am not that same person. I have altered my attire slightly as well. It would be easy to believe that someone with powers that looked like the original would take up his name -- and I am happy to live with that ruse for now." He said quietly.

"I have children -- well -- I have great-grandchildren -- and I cannot tell the world that I am back until I can figure out a way to tell my family." It was something he had struggled with since he returned. How do you tell people you abandoned in the past that you're back now?"

"Heavy...that." Mayhem said simply as she popped the last of her banana into her mouth. "Most of my family is in LA. So I doubt I'll be seeing much of them, 'cept for my brother. He crashes my pad whenever he pisses off Pops."

And, the spy from Planet Insensitive outs herself at last, Serena mused privately. She turned back to Dynamo however and put her hand on his shoulder gently. "You tell them as honestly as you can. And soon. Ain't gonna be long before they're gonna see you on the news and wonder, for themselves." She squeezed that shoulder, more than a little impressed with the brick-solid feel to it. "Ah got your back, whenever you decide you need to go. Ah'm sure Ah'm not the only one here who feels that way, neither."

Rachel nodded firmly, her face somber. "I'm with Serena. I don't know what I can do to help, but I'll do whatever I can." She considered Dynamo for a moment. "You may want to consider how they will feel to know you are back, that you didn't abandon your family, but you were taken away." Rachel knew she was saying too much, but wanted to get her point across. "Wouldn't it be better to tell them as soon as you can, before you lose any more time with them?"

Her customary smile returned, although a little smaller. "Whatever happened, it's given you a chance to get to know them. Sounds like something to take advantage of to me." She looked at Dynamo, hoping she hadn't made him feel worse.

Mayhem winced at the barrage of advice and sympathy, almost embarrassed for Superman. Meddle much? That's what shrinks are for. Several thoughts, most inapropriate flitted through her head before she trusted herself to speak, her tone was dry but light. "Wellll... look on the brightside. You're gonna be the hawttest, coolest, grandpops EVER."

Dynamo - you swear - very nearly blushed at that. "Yes, well, thank you all ... for your concern. It's something that I must deal with soon." He took another bite of food and hoped that someone would change the subject before he got anymore uncomfortable.