Dreamline Trilogy

Part 1 of 3

Misfits of America

By Nick Maro

"Okay, Misfits, that's enough practice for today. Hit the showers and meet me in the conference room." Harvey Gabor's voice boomed over the intercom. He sat back and smiled. These youngsters were finally coming together as a team.

The five team members walked out of the training hall together while making small talk. Four headed into the women's shower room and the one lone man into the men's. Constance Montgomery turned to Harvey. "They're improving everyday, sir. Better than they did under Eric Raymond."

Harvey nodded slowly as he looked over a few readings. "Yes, they are. Notify Techrat that we're having a meeting in a few minutes. He should be in the hangar working on the M.o.A. jet."

Constance nodded and exited the control room. By the time she reached the hall the shower rooms connected to most of The Misfits were out of the shower. "You guys looked great in there. I'm off to grab Techrat. Anyone want to come with?"

Mary Phillips joined her. She was the second youngest member of the team next to Constance. "I really need more control over my lightning powers. I almost fried Sheila in there. David and Phyllis are working much better as a team, though."

"But do they have to yell Gabor Twin powers activate every time they do something? It's getting damned annoying." They walked together discussing the team's strengths and flaws. Constance and Mary entered the hangar. Constance didn't see Techrat anywhere. "Techie! Where are you?"

Techrat climbed out of the landing gear housing, his metal body clanked as it touched down on the concrete floor. "I-AM-HERE-CONSTANCE. HOW-MAY-I-BE-OF-ASSISTANCE?" His voice and outer appearance still made Mary a touch nervous. He looked like a man but at the same time wasn't.

"Ah shit. Techie, did you erase the personality program again?" Techrat gave her a blank stare. Constance pulled a flash drive out of her pocket. "Turn around, Techie. I told you a thousand times, the personality program makes everyone more at ease around you." She inserted the program and waited a few moments. A light indicated that the program had been installed. Constance pocketed the drive. "Now then, how's that, Techie?"

"The reason why I erase that program is for efficiency. When I'm working on something, I find that that program bogs my processing down by twenty-five percent." He smiled at Constance, and then looked at Mary as if just noticing her. "Good afternoon, Mary." She smiled uneasily at Techrat. "Now what did you need me for?"

"Well, if that's the case, then I'll have to write a subroutine where you can turn it off and on as needed." Constance began to program the code on her tablet.

"Connie, Mr. Gabor is waiting. Techrat, you're needed in the meeting." Mary finished pulling her hair into a ponytail. "Shall we go my friends?" Techrat and Constance followed her out of the hangar bay to the conference room.

The conference room doors slid opened and Constance and Mary took their seats while Techrat stood nearby waiting patiently. "First of all, I just wanted to tell you Misfits how proud I am of everyone. David, Phyllis, I'm glad you're both back from Japan. The martial arts skills you learned there will compensate for your lack of powers.

"Now Mary, you may be their half sister, but you inherited your mother's powers. You truly have become Stormer, Mistress of Thunder and Lightning.

"Sheila, you may have just joined The Misfits but you're showing great potential. Jetta is the perfect name for one who uses flight and a force field. By the way, you need more work on expanding the force field. I know it's tough for you but you must try.

"Roxanne, I'm still working on where that amulet you got came from. It might be Egyptian though. At least you discovered how to change from rock form to normal. Regardless, you're the powerhouse of the group. The fact your childhood nickname was Roxy is an irony I still find amusing." Harvey Gabor moved behind Constance.

"Now Connie, under Eric Raymond's reign of The Misfits your analytical mind was always ignored. I just want to tell you how much I appreciate your work. Techrat is an amazing find. Not hard to believe that he was the brains behind Raymond's schemes. But ever since you gave him a personality, he's more social, that is when it's active." Harvey finished and sat down at the head of the table.

Roxanne spoke first. "So you just wanted to give us an evaluation?" Harvey nodded. "Hate to say it, but that was a waste of my time. C'mon, Sheila, we can catch that movie now. We are done, aren't we Harv?"

"Yes, you're all dismissed. If any emergency comes up, you'll be alerted." Harvey stood and left the room. Each of The Misfits got up and exchanged looks. Sheila and Roxanne left together. Connie and Techrat went back to the hangar as Mary, David and Phyllis stayed behind for a moment.

Mary smiled at her newly found half siblings. "So what are your guys plans for the night? Anything special?"

"I'm off to visit Kimber. She asked that I stop by tonight." David grinned to himself.

"How can you even be remotely attracted to her, David? She's a hologram! A light construct! Her personality is just a computer program." Phyllis headed towards the door. "Besides, I don't like their leader Jem. Why does she hide who she truly is? What kind of hero is that? At least we're honest about it." She left the room cursing under her breath.

Mary put her hand on David's shoulder. "Don't let her get to you. I know that Kimber and the rest of The Holograms are more than just light and computer personalities. They were once real people. Did I ever tell you about the time Kimber and I worked together on a case? Afterwards Jerrica offered me a spot on The Holograms. She said my electrical powers could be of use on her team but I turned it down. Back then it was just Phyllis, Roxanne, Sheila and I as The Misfits. Eric Raymond had no idea what he was doing but Kimber became my friend."

Static from Mary's fingers caused David to jump a bit. "Well, I'm glad my father took control. Hell, I'm glad I came home. In Japan, Phyllis was trained through virtual reality. It took me fifteen years to get the same level as Phyllis while it took her fifteen days."

"Do you mind if I come with to visit Kimber? I had no plans to speak of. It's hard making friends when you can shock them randomly."

David slowly smiled. "Actually, it wouldn't mind at all if you did."

Flopping on her bed Phyllis turned on her television. She picked up a magazine and started to mindlessly flip through it. She was bored. With a groan of dissatisfaction, she put the magazine down and turned off her TV. "Screw it." She changed her clothes and went to her father's study. Slowly, Phyllis opened the door. "Daddy, I'm going out. I'll see you later tonight."

"Okay, honey. I'll contact you if something happens. Have fun." Harvey went back to his research.

Phyllis shut the door and went out to her car. She drove into town not knowing what she was looking for, that's when a club caught her eye. After finding a place to park, she shut off the engine and made her way to the building. She stood in line thinking that maybe this is what she needed. She tapped a man in front of her on the shoulder. "Who's playing tonight?"

The man turned so she could hear him past the noise of the club. "A new band from Europe called The Stingers."

"Never heard of them but I hope they're good." Phyllis paid her admission and leaned against the bar after pushing her way past the crowd. She didn't feel like dancing yet so she just relaxed. The Stingers came on the stage a few moments later. Phyllis had her breath taken away by the man who stood before her and the audience.

"I am Riot!" The golden haired man declared. He gestured to a beautiful blonde woman beside him. "This is Minx on keyboards." Then waved a hand at another equally beautiful blonde woman, "and this is Rapture. We are The Stingers." They started playing their song and Phyllis noticed people acting strangely. Women were literally throwing themselves at Riot on stage.

After The Stingers finished their performance, Phyllis decided to head back home until she heard Riot speak again. "You will hand over all of your valuables. You will have no memory of this happening." She turned around and saw the women in the crowd handing over their money, watches and jewelry. The one called Minx was seducing the men into doing the same. Rapture seemed to be helping people forget everything.

Ducking low and running to the door, Phyllis snuck out and ran to her car. She called home on her car phone. "Daddy, I just encountered something very strange at the Camelot Night Club. A band with what seemed to have hypnotic and suggestive powers stole from the audience. Thankfully my martial arts training made me immune to hypnotic suggestion."

"Okay, Phyllis, come home and I'll notify the rest of the team." Harvey Gabor's voice crackled over the speaker.

"I'm already on my way." Phyllis floored the accelerator and shifted her car into the next gear while speeding away, leaving only light trails from her taillights.

Mary rested her legs on David's while they sat on the couch at Starlight Mansion. She looked at Kimber who sat on the other side of David. "So there's hope for your real body, Kimber?"

The electronic voice responded with a slight crackle. "Yes. It's frustrating as hell but I never give up hope. I really miss the simple things. Smelling a flower; feeling the grass between your toes." She looked at David. "Hugging someone you like." She brushed his face with the back of her hand causing the hairs on his face to tingle.

"I can't even begin to imagine, Kimber. Do you know who released the virus?" David smiled warmly at her.

Kimber hung her head sadly. "No. But Jerrica thinks it was just someone who had no motive."

Mary was about to speak when hers and David's Misfitscard went off. "shit." She mumbled quietly. "Sorry Kimber, duty calls. I'll meet you in the car, David." Mary ran out of the room saying a quick good bye to Jerrica as she left.

David followed Kimber to the door. "I'll call you later, okay Kimber?" Making her smile happily. He turned to Jerrica and hugged her. "Thanks for having Mary and I over."

"You're very welcome. If you need any help, just ask. I'll contact Jem."

David waved good bye and ran to the waiting car. Kimber turned to Jerrica. "I can't tell him. Not until I have my real body back." Kimber's holoform dispersed seconds later. Jerrica just shut the door and sighed.

Roxanne turned to Sheila keeping her voice to a low whisper. "This movie blows. Let's get the hell outta here." Sheila nodded and they left the theater. Once in the lobby, Roxanne made a disgusted noise. "God that movie sucks ass. I hardly ever walk out of a movie but I had to for that one."

"I'm sorry for suggestin' it, luv. I say we find a bar and we drink a few mates under the table. Whaddaya say?" Sheila flashed that devilish grin that said she had a plan.

Thinking for a moment Roxanne quickly agreed to her best friend's idea. They left the theater and went to a local bar in Roxanne's car. "Been meaning to ask, Sheila, does using the force field hurt at all?"

Sheila shook her head no. "It doesn't really hurt. It's more like pressure in me head when I use the blasted thing. Harvey says it's all psychological but I think it's because I'm scared of the power."

"How the hell can you be afraid of a defensive power like that?"

"Easily, I could thrust it outward with spikes on the ends that could possibly hurt someone. Sure, I use it while flyin' but that's to protect me." Sheila was about to suggest the bar they just passed when their Misfitscards went off. "bloody 'ell. Just the luck."

Roxanne made a U-turn and headed back towards the Misfits Mansion. "This better be important and not a test. I haven't had a decent night out in forever." Roxanne scowled as she flipped on the car's cloaking device. "Hang on, Sheila, and put on the Speed Racer theme. It seems to suit this moment." Sheila did as told as Roxanne sang along.

The seven members of The Misfits once again gathered in the debriefing room. Phyllis stood before the group addressing her teammates and friends. "Tonight at a club called Camelot I saw a new band premier. It wasn't the show that concerned me it was what happened afterwards. They're called The Stingers and from I can tell they have hypnotic and suggestive powers, in short, mental powers. Thankfully I'm pretty much immune to such powers due to my martial arts training."

Phyllis activated the projector on her datapad causing a screen to come down and a still photo of The Stingers was displayed behind her. "I was able to get a few quick shots of what they look like." She pressed a button on the datapad and the projector went to the next still of Riot. "This here is their leader Riot. He has the power to charm women. I don't want anyone but David or I to deal with him." The others nodded as she spoke. She clicked the datapad for the next slide. "Here we have Minx. Her powers are like Riot's but only they work on men. Stormer, I need you to take her down." She clicked the datapad a final time. "And finally we have Rapture. She has the power of suggestion that can affect anyone." She turned up the lights and the screen disappeared into the ceiling.

"Pizzazz, what do you want Techrat and I to do?" Connie asked.

"I need you two to try and pinpoint their location from here. Keep in mind they're musicians and are using that as a cover. There's over two hundred and fifty clubs in the L.A. area." Phyllis walked to Connie's side and put her hand on the young tech's shoulder. "You're our eyes and ears on this one. We're all counting on the both of you." She walked back to the head of the table. "Now, if there are no more questions, let's move out, Misfits!"

The Misfits all rushed to their respective vehicles. Climbing into her car, Roxy mumbled to herself. "We need a better battle cry." Jetta laughed as she got in the passenger side.

"Why are you still keeping the name Pizzazz?" David asked checking his swords.

Pizzazz sighed and kept driving. "It's my original hero name when I was with Eric Raymond. Of course, we were bumbling foul ups then. Anyway, I've kept it to remind myself not to become how I was when Eric ran things. I'm just glad Daddy fired him and took control." They sat in silence for a short while. "Anything on the police scanner?"

"Nope, you did say they said that no one would remember. Wonder how the rest are doing." David turned on his commlink. "Stormer, anything on your end?"

The small speaker crackled to life. "Sorry David, I'm not picking up anything. If I knew their bioelectrical patterns I could track them that way. But so far I'm just getting the same mutants or beta powered humans that we know about. Check with Roxy and Jetta."

David saw Stormer streak by his window in her electrical form. "Roxy, Jetta, you two picking up anything?"

"This patrol duty crap sucks!" Roxy screamed. "I'm so fuckin' bored."

Pizzazz laughed. "That's a big no if I ever heard one." She turned down what seemed to be the same side street. "Maybe Roxy is right. We should call it a ni—"

She was cut off by the squawk of David's commlink. "Pizzazz! David! I've located them! Lock onto my signal!"

"We've got it, Stormer. Great work!" David said as he pointed out Stormer's signal to his sister. Pizzazz floored the car's accelerator and raced to Stormer's location where they arrived within moments.

After the car stopped, the twin brother and sister team jumped out of the convertible. At the same time they began their battle cry. "Gabor Twin powers activa—"

"Will you two shut up?" Stormer cut them off. "You don't even have powers! Did you even take the time to notice the name on the building?" David and Pizzazz looked up and saw the blue sign. Kross Medical Incorporated. They looked at Stormer confused. "Yeah, I know what you're thinking. What are thieves doing at Kross Medical?"

Roxy and Jetta pulled up seconds later. "Alright! It's action time!" Roxy grasped her amulet and concentrated. Roxy's body began growing in size and mass before their eyes. Rocks, glass and metal fragments flew from the street and latched onto her body. "This is more like it." Her voice now sounded like grating metal and crushing gravel.

"So wot's the battle plan, bosslady?" Jetta asked checking her guns.

Pizzazz thought for a moment. "Rubber mercy bullets only, Jetta. Okay, here's the battle plan. David and I take on Riot. Stormer, like I said in the debriefing Minx is yours. Jetta and Roxy take on Rapture. Best bet would be distance attacks. Do not make eye contact and good luck team." She turned and looked up at the building again. "Stormer, are you sure this is where they're at?"

Before Stormer could answer the front doors of the Kross Medical opened. Three blonde figures walked out slowly with Riot in the lead. "Ah, it looks like the Misfits of America have come to stop us." He smiled wickedly. "Minx, Rapture, let's teach these fools what it means to mess with The Stingers!"

Pizzazz and David both rushed toward Riot while Stormer turned into electricity and began firing electrical bolts at Minx, who gracefully dodged the attacks. Roxy sprayed pebbles and small rocks from her hands at Rapture who started running for cover.

David struck Riot in the left arm with a katana but it didn't seem to have any effect. Riot looked directly into Pizzazz's eyes. "You don't want to fight me, my lovely. You'll do anything for me." His voice was very smooth and comforting. Pizzazz gave him a kick in the gut as an answer. "Immune to my charms? Wonderful. You, my dear, will be a challenge." Riot reached behind him and grabbed David and threw him away from himself. David flipped around in midair and landed in a crouch and ran back toward Riot with moments. Riot grabbed Pizzazz by the throat and threw her at her brother who caught her as he ran.

"Roxy! It looks like Rapture is chantin' somethin' here!" Jetta called to her partner.

"Wonderful, a spellcaster. Awright, let's take her out hard and fast, partner." Roxy backed Rapture up against the wall of the building. "Okay, take her down, Jet—. What the fuck?! I can't move!" She looked down at her body. The rocks and metal her body was composed of were beginning to fuse together. "Jetta, kick this bitch's as—." Her mouth began to form over with rock.

"roxy." Jetta said to herself quietly. She was relieved when she saw that Roxy was still breathing. She noticed that her nose was left uncovered. Jetta made a turn in the air and headed back at Rapture. "Alright you magic usin' bleach blonde bimbo, let's see how you stand against me." Jetta unleashed round after round of rubber bullets at Rapture.

Stormer fired another bolt of electricity that caused part of the wall to explode. "Minx! I don't want to hurt you. Please stop running and tell us who you're working for."

The German born blonde smiled. "Alright dear, I give up." She walked toward the still electrified woman and she put her hands out of for the handcuffs. As Stormer walked closer, Minx threw a small rubber ball at her. "Sucker!" It hit Stormer in the chest and rapidly expanded around her. The rubber casing held her tight until she stopped moving. Minx poked small breathing holes by her nostrils. Stormer had been returned to her human form rendering her unconscious.

David surveyed the chaos before him and knew it wasn't going The Misfits way. The entire team seemed to be in trouble. Rapture's eldritch bolts were getting closer and closer to Jetta while Riot seemed impervious to attacks. Minx had taken down Stormer and Rapture turned Roxy into a living statue. Pizzazz was near exhaustion from the constant fighting. David turned and ran to his sister's car knowing where he could find help. He knew his teammates would understand when he returned.

"David! Where you goin' you bloody coward!" Jetta yelled after seeing him leave in the vehicle at top speed. A ruby bolt of magic hit Jetta in her side. The force field that surrounded her body protected her but the force slammed her into a wall knocking her out.

The doorbell rang repeatedly causing Jerrica to open the door in anger. "This better be goo—. David! What's wrong?!"

"Jerrica! The Misfits need Jem and the Holograms. Hurry! Please!" David pleaded with fear in his eyes.

"Okay, okay. Let me get them." Jerrica shut the door leaving him outside of the mansion to wait.

Kimber appeared before David with a crackle of her holographic form. "Is everything alright? You seem worried."

Before David could answer the doors opened to the mansion again. Jem stepped out with the three other Holograms. "David, Jerrica told me The Misfits need our help." She got into David's car as he got into the driver's side. "Where at and what can we expect."

David sped out of the Starlight Mansion gates and turned down the main road. "Kross Medical," he said as he shifted into the next gear.

By the time David arrived he found that Connie had showed up in the M.o.A. jet with Techrat. Jem got out of the car and summoned The Holograms. David jumped out of his car and ran up to his twin who was still fighting. "Pizzazz! I'm sorry I ran off like that. I had to get help."

She looked at him with anger flaring in her eyes. "Save it for later."

"Enough!" A booming voice echoed causing everyone to stop fighting and turning to see Eric Raymond standing before them. "My dear Misfits, I hope you found my Stingers as entertaining as I have. Now, Stingers, eradicate them!"

The Stingers merged into one giant being and stepped towards the heroes on the ground. "No!" Pizzazz shouted as the giant foot came down on her.

"No! Stop!" Pizzazz yelled as she jerked awake. She looked around and realized she was in the back of her limo waiting for Suzaku and her mother to return from Japan. David and Stormer looked at her in a mix of amusement and confusion. "Sorry, had a weird dream that we were all superheroes." She looked at the pile of comics that Ken had wanted her to pick up. She regretted reading them while she was sleepy.

"It's alright, Phyllis, strange dreams happen to me all the time." Stormer had comforting smile. "Besides, I think it would be cool if we had superpowers."

COMING SOON: DREAMLINE PART 2