Junior Year Summer Break

56. Watchmen (4/90)
During the course of a Harborview tenement fire, the team is aided by Guardian, apparently a new variant working in the Harborview area. Eminently physically capable, he asks to join with the team, so that he can follow their lead in situations like these. Short-staffed with Jen very pregnant and Jason missing, they agree. Only Talon doesn't trust him completely, but she keeps her opinions to herself.
    Guardian is actually a mercenary actor in the employ of Hamptington and VelJohnson, whose job it is to insinuate himself with the heroes before the birth, so that he is in a position to steal the child for the scientist's nefarious purposes.
    Shortly thereafter they have an abortive encounter with Stryke, escaped from jail and controlling some SHRIMP scientists. It is inconclusive, when Frigia brings the house down and the trio escapes through one of Menagerie's tunnels

57. Jacks In Profile (4/90)
This is One-Eyed Jack's last attempt to kill Gypsy before the Nativity itself occurs. At the Talon Foundation Building, Jen is undergoing dream-testing to explore the strength of the link between her and the embryo (Jen is approximately 8 months pregnant at this point). Jack's attack occurs while she is in REM sleep, utilizing the full amount of his abilities to project himself directly into Jennifer's deam-scape. He manipulates the dreamscape, as does she. Just as she begins to lose, the embryo itself attacks, banishing the figure to a shining cityscape (Shandamir). The rest of the team is forced to watch as Jennifer's vital signs and EEG fluctuate madly during the battle.

58. A Touch of Venus (5/90)
After several weeks of relative calm, our heroes are contacted by Anthony Taurus; the Manhattan Project is away on a major mission, and the city is being raided by Pygmalion. Could they help? Some detective work and really cool fight scenes later, and the variant art thief is brought to justice.

59. Old Ghosts and Prophets (6/90)
Skywalker receives a book of critical information on Shandamirian history from Alexandria, containing the body of the Wayfinder Prophecy, concerning Jennifer's child and his links to Shandamir. He also finally realizes that Abigail is in love with him.
    The team also deals with Stryke, discovering Frigia's plans to abscond with and use some of Lord Fimbulwinter's cold-enhancing devices to enhance her own powers. All but Menagerie are captured.

60. Wayfinder [double-sized issue]
As Gypsy goes into labor (and it will be a 6 hour delivery), a dimensional doorway appears in the operating room. Crimson Farwalker will step through and tell the players that Jennifer must come with him. Guardian argues vehemently against this, and plays devil's advocate to everything that Crimson has to say. Jennifer decides to go, and Guardian insists on attending. Through the doorway they will hear the music of celebration, for the birth of the Wayfinder is at hand.
    The heroes arrive at Shandamir, and Jen's labor is in full swing. Most of the heroes go and help the Shandamirian army round up the last bits of Riverbend's anti-unification terrorist movement. During the labor, Talon confronts Guardian with what she has deduced of his motives and intentions, if not his employers—all correct. She lets him know, in no uncertain terms, that he has made a good hero, and can continue to do so, or he can make a single callous act, and follow that path for the rest of his life. She leaves him on the steps to decide.
    The child is born happily, as none of the resistance is anywhere near the hospital and Guardian is unsure what to do. Crimson asks that Jennifer and the Child stay in Shandamir, so that the Wayfinder can be trained in the use of his abilities. Jennifer decided to stay but will visit our Earth on occasion. So does Guardian, confessing his actions in full to Talon, saying he wants to explore this place, and promising that he will take no action against the child. He has found his way.

| Top |