Initiative 2028

Power Pax

The raid went bad when a Iron Patriot armor managed to set off a alarm, costumed troopers pouring out of the SHIELD base. They were using the equipment and gear of d-listers, men in Mauler, Beetle and other armors, spreading out to intercept the attackers.

"Well, that went well," the blond haired man noted, his simple black and white costume standing out in the twilight. Gee was the leader of Power Pax, and was the eldest of the team. Possessed of limited gravity manipulation, he could be very dangerous in a fight.

The red-brown haired woman flew just above them, rainbow bursts of energy keeping Lightspeed aloft. She smiled grimly, "Looks like things are going to plan."

"I'll power up," Energizer volunteered, the youngest hurrying to lay hands on debris from their dramatic exit. Possessed of energy conversion abilities she could 'disintegrate' matter and absorb the power, then release it as destructive bolts.

Mist swirled as a cloud poured out of cracks in the wall, then Mass Master fully reformed. The brown haired man in blue grinned, "Computer virus planted, boss. I think that should destroy the last of the data on matter/antimatter conversion."

Once upon a time their father had developed a process for matter/antimatter conversion, and even built a prototype. However, he was unaware that the process was unstable, and that if mishandled a reaction could destroy the world. After gaining their powers from a friendly alien the kids stopped evil aliens from stealing the device, destroyed the technology and saved their parents from a kidnapping. AND they did it all without revealing their identities.

Not bad for a first time out!

"Power Pack!" a voice boomed, "By order of President Valera Richards, you are commanded to surrender! Any resistance will be met by lethal force!"

"It's Power Pax, numb skulls!" Mass Master yelled back.

"Numbers?" Gee asked, the slim man's costume darkening as he manipulated gravity around him, making himself hard to move.

"Twenty or so lightweight armors," Lightspeed said over her costume communicator, "and two Iron Patriots. You'd think they'd have learned their lesson by now."

"Guess we'll just have to beat the lesson into them," Mass Master grinned.

The man in the Iron Patriot looked distinctly unhappy, but the red, blue and silver clad figure continued, "Please, we have no wish to harm you! Surrender now."

"Gee, he must have really not gotten the news," Energizer noted. "May I?"

"Just don't kill anyone," Gee ordered.

"Aww," Energizer began to glow brighter and brighter, "you take all the fun out of it."

Once, all Energizer could do was throw head sized bursts of destructive energy. They were effective, no question, but against very powerful beings she couldn't do much. However, as she grew up her capacity to hold and direct power increased...

The power sphere was as big as Energizer's whole body once she released it, the bolt ripping down the deserted compound to where the armored agents were mobilizing. The flying suits tried to scatter as it hit but they were too late, the electromagnetic pulse blasting through their armors and disabling them.

"Top that," Energizer smirked.

"I'd say that's my cue," Mass Master grinned as a Iron Patriot soared to the attack, repulsers firing. The team scattered as he soared to meet the armored figure, then his mist form enshrouded the armored man.

"Kid, I don't need light to see," the Patriot growled as he fired into the mists around him, "so give it up."

"Actually, I wanted to give you a chance to surrender," Mass Master answered calmly, feeling the energy bolts tickle his dispersed mass.

"Are you nuts?" the Patriot yelped.

"Suit yourself," Mass Master answered, focusing his mass manipulating abilities.

Originally, all Mass Master could do was manipulate his own molecular density. In essence he could 'compress' himself to about six inches tall with his full weight intact, or 'disperse' his body into a cloud form which was mostly untouchable. However, as he grew up so did his powers...

Alarms rang out in the Patriot armor as something began to literally eat away at the outer shell. "What the...?" the pilot started then eeped in surprise as his entire combat suit simply disappeared, expanding into a mist.

"Happy landings, chump," Mass Master waved even as he compressed the armor to action figure size and let it drop with a thump.

Gee focused his abilities on the stunned, disorganized troopers and increased the effects of gravity on them, pinning them. "Okay," he said, "that just leaves the last Patriot."

The last Iron Patriot was in the air when Gee pulled his gravity stunt and out of it's range. The armored figure seemed stunned to see his whole team be defeated so easily, hanging disoriented in midair.

"I'll handle him," Lightspeed said, landing as she stared up at the armored man. From a pouch on her belt she took out a ball bearing, then frowned in concentration.

Lightspeed's power was simply defined as acceleration, basically she could tap into a unknown energy and accelerate herself through the air. It was a useful power, but at first she had thought it had no practical combat applications. Of course, that was before she figured out she could accelerate held objects too.

The pilot had half a second to see the rainbow flash in her hand, then a steel ball bearing flying at Mach two hit, smashing him backwards and blowing out multiple suit systems. The second shot at barely the speed of sound finished him off, leaving a field full of stunned and disabled enemies.

"Let's go home," Gee smiled.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0

Julie Power, known also as Lightspeed, jogged out of the offices of Front Line, an on-line and print paper that published content that the feds did not want released and/or which would embarrass the powers that be. Based out of New York they had survived alien invasions, skrulls and federal investigations, now under the helm of Ben Ulrich.

Julie never set out to be a reporter, she sort of fell into it when she had been living in LA. Giving up on her attempts to be a actress she went to university there, getting into reporting along with her friend Mickey Musashi. They graduated together but drifted apart, somewhat due to guilt Mickey felt over their friend Phil cracking up.

Working as a photographer and reporter Julie covered the fall of Norman Osborn, as well as the supposed 'Heroic Age' that followed. Sadly the age didn't last and with the election of Valera Richards, things had really gone to hell. Now there was a forced superhuman registry, criminals being conscripted as soldiers and a horrifying amount of dirty dealings by the feds.

Today Julie had helped contribute to a cover piece on the feds using stolen criminal power armors, in part supported by pics from last night's fight. It was good to help save the world, but it was even better to do it and support her job, too.

Her phone buzzed and Julie picked it up, "Yes?"

"It's Mickey," a familiar voice said, "can I see you?"

Julie raised her eyebrows in surprise. It had been a few years since they talked... "Are you in New York?" she asked curiously.

"Yeah, I'm hitting up the Daily Bugle for work," Mickey admitted. "Wanna grab some lunch?" she offered.

"Yeah," Julie agreed and they quickly arranged a place to meet.

Mickey Musashi hadn't changed much, Julie noticed as she walked up to the cafe. The black haired Asian woman was still as beautiful as ever, dressed in a woman's business suit and a matching black coat, leaning casually against a wall.

Mickey, on the other hand, was actually a bit startled at the change in Julie. Gone was the fake blond hair and slightly vapid attitude she had assumed in LA, this was a tough, determined woman who kicked ass and got the job done. Which shouldn't have surprised her, considering the stories she had read under Julie's byline, but it was a bit disconcerting.

"Julie," Mickey hugged her, startling the other woman slightly. Julie was stiff a moment then relaxed into the hug, squeezing back gently.

"Looking good," Julie complimented her as they took seats.

"Thanks," Mickey said as they nodded to a waiter and ordered some coffee.

"Why didn't you apply at Front Line?" Julie asked curiously, "Ben could use all the good reporters he can get."

"Considering I was dating his son Phil when Phil lost it," Mickey sighed, "I really didn't think it was appropriate."

Julie reached out to pat her hand gently. "He doesn't blame us for what happened," she told her gently, "he had issues from the first time he was exposed to Goblin serum."

Mickey shrugged, "Yeah, well..."

Julie decided it might be best to change the subject a bit. "Are you keeping up with the rest of the old team?" she asked curiously.

"Some," Mickey agreed. "Ricochet went back to crime fighting, so did poor Mattie."

Both of them sighed thinking of Mattie Franklin, who deceived them while working on a private investigation case. Not long after that the heroine also known as Spider Woman was killed in New York, by crazies looking to resurrect Kraven the Hunter.

"Phil is still MIA, but I heard some rumors he's involved with President Richards," Julie offered. "Along with Hollow." She paused, "How's Namie?"

"Red Ronin joined the Secret Avengers," Mickey sounded regretful, "I haven't seen her in over a year, now."

"Have you thought about putting the battle armor back on?" Julie suggested gently, "Maybe she'd talk to Turbo."

"I've thought about it," Mickey admitted, "more than once." She looked at Julie thoughtfully, "I've heard some rumors... is Lightspeed flying again?"

"Occasionally," Julie said cautiously.

Mickey smiled slightly, "Maybe you can give me some pointers..."

To be continued...

Notes: Based off the original Power Pack series, rather than the new version. I'm assuming that Alex & Julie are teens 'now' so are in their thirties in this fic. Their expanded abilities are mostly based on stuff in the comics, tho I admit I swiped Julie's acceleration attack from 'A certain Scientific Railgun.'